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Nice, France

Nice

Nice is a city in southern France located on the Mediterranean coast, between Marseille, France, and Genoa, Italy. The city is a major tourist centre and a leading resort on the French Riviera (Cote d'Azur). It is the historical capital city of the County of Nice.

Inhabited for 400,000 years, the "modern" city of Nikaia was established by the Greeks who had settled in Marseille around 350 BC. Nice was annexed by France from the kingdom of Sardinia in 1860. The old town is a network of narrow streets and squares with open air markets. The new town is spread along the Baie des Anges and the famous Promenade des Anglais which extends for more than 6 km to the airport and is lined with grand hotels.

Nice has a typically Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average daily temperature hovers around 15°C (59°F), soaring up to 30°C (86°F) in July-August and rarely dipping below 5°C (41°F) in winter (November-February). In summer the water temperature is a languid 20-25°C (68-77°F). May and June are the most pleasant months, followed by September and October.

Nice is known for numerous preparatory schools which prepare students for entrance to the Grandes Ecoles, among them the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris. Lycee Albert Calmette is acclaimed as the best secondary school in Nice. Further, there are many private and international schools of all levels in the city and its surrounding area. As the host to two universities, the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and the University of Pierre and Marie Curie, Nice is always full of students.

Aéroport International Nice-Côte d'Azur (NCE) is situated 7km outside of central Nice and the second biggest airport in France, outside of Paris. The central train station takes commuters to other towns along the Riviera such as Antibes, Cannes, Monaco and more.There is no underground metro service within Nice. The Ligne d'Azur tramway network is by far the easiest means of public transport in Nice. Buses cover most of the city until midnight. The Sunbus is a popular tourist service, running daily to popular tourist destinations within Nice. Tickets can be purchased from a local cafe or tabac. Taxis in Nice are usually white, with a light on the roof when available.

Nice itself is an attraction: the rich blue-green sea, diverse shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco facades. The city is a premier tourist destination in the famous Cote d'Azur region of France. Nice is known for its spectacular scenic beauty, world-class beaches and chic culture, attracting millions of tourists every year. Major tourist attractions in Nice include beautiful beaches. Nice is also known for its world-class museums, which are second only to Paris in numbers. Among must see tourist attractions in Nice include Cours Saleya Flower Market, the Matisse Museum, ancient Roman ruins, the Russian Cathedral and much more.

The old town of Nice, Vieux Nice is famous for its Italian architecture and cuisine. Its narrow streets are lined-up with numerous restaurants, cafes and shops selling beautiful Provencal wares, household items, wine, gourmet gifts, hip clothing and more. You can enjoy some of the best shopping in Nice in this area.

A picturesque waterfront boulevard, Promenade des Anglais is perhaps the main tourist attraction in Nice. Facing azure water of the Mediterranean, the beachfront Promenade des Anglais is lined with seaside hotels, villas, cafes, restaurants and shops. You can see people relaxing, jogging or biking along the shore, and vendors selling crepes and drinks. Promenade des Anglais is a great place for relaxing or wandering around in Nice.

The main winter event on the French Riviera and one of the major carnivals in the world is the Mardi Gras Carnival, a festival that is held every February in Nice. The carnival's colourful parades draw large crowds of tourists and participants. Other significant events within Nice include seasonal markets and fairs, sporting events and music concerts.

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Nice statistic

  • Population: 347,100
  • City area, km2: 71
  • Time zone: GMT +01:00
  • Phone code: +334
  • Postal code: 06100 -06300

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Nice weather

Weather in Nice
  • Min t: 4°C (39°F)
  • Max t: 11°C (52°F)
  • Wind: 9mph
  • Humidity: 68%

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